Collins: Savor reunion with 'Mockingbird' characters in Little Theatre production

"To Kill a Mockingbird" has captivated readers and moviegoers for more than a half-century, first in the form of Harper Lee's 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, then in the 1962 Oscar-winning film scripted by Horton Foote ("A Trip to Bountiful") and directed by Robert Mulligan.

Old and young can identify with Lee's tale of youthful innocence colliding with the harsher realities of the adult world, even if social conditions have changed markedly since the Depression era depicted so vividly. The stage version by Christopher Sergel captures some of Lee's vision, but can't really compete with the dense period detail of the novel or the gothic atmosphere achieved by the film's striking black and white photography and Elmer Bernstein's evocative score.

Director and sound/lighting designer Jamie Bower's new production for Springfield Little Theatre offers several attractions of its own, however, starting with the trio of young actors portraying siblings Jean Louise and Jem Finch and their summertime playmate Charles Baker "Dill" Harris.

Micah Williams makes a spunky, inquisitive "Scout," while Braedan Hall is convincing as a big-hearted "barefoot boy with cheek." Sam Garvin's diminutive and charming Dill adds considerable humor to the proceedings, notably in his wild tale of running away from an aloof mother and her new husband.

Without the understated gravitas of Gregory Peck (and close-ups of his dialogue-free reflective moments), Atticus Finch can come across as a rather dry, platitudinous stick figure on stage. Art Duncan doesn't escape that image entirely, but his matter-of-fact take on the admirable character has a stoic appeal of its own.

The corrupted nature of humanity is represented by the villainous Bob Ewell and his embittered daughter Mayella. Marc Langiano's gruff voice and crude demeanor fit the one-dimensional Ewell nicely, while Abby Rose Price suggests the closed-off defensiveness that defines Mayella's worldview. The unwritten code she has broken carries complex gender, class and racial implications that threaten her own well-being as well as the life of her victim, Tom Robinson.

Act Two's lengthy trial scene is highlighted by Derrick DeVonne King's subtle take on the falsely-accused Robinson, a decent man whose best instincts seal his fate. As soon as he utters the words "I felt sorry for her," the verdict in the bogus rape trial is a foregone conclusion. King's soft-spoken line readings and halting delivery convey Tom's quiet dignity and grace under pressure.

The play isn't all seriousness, however. In addition to the children's humorous antics, look for tasty comic relief from Jerry-Mac Johnston as the very hands-on Judge Taylor, Maxine Whittaker as cantankerous Mrs. Dubose and Rick Giesen (a former Atticus Finch for SLT) as a sheriff who freely admits he can't shoot as well as a bookish lawyer.

One victim of the truncated stage version is Arthur "Boo" Radley (Erik Kiser), whose mysterious backstory and heroic actions near the end of the play don't register as strongly as they should. The racially-charged trial necessarily overshadows that story and the nostalgic coming-of-age adventures of Scout, Jem and Dill. Still, fans of the book and movie will likely fill in those missing gaps and savor a reunion with characters and situations that have by now become part of the American psyche.